Teenage burglars caught after being spotted with wheelie bin full of stolen goods

JAILED: Luke Walker was sentenced to three years and four months in prison [Cavendish Press]

The youngsters, 13 and 14 respectively, are to be sentenced later this month.

Ring-leader, Luke Walker, 24, was sentenced to three years and four months today at Bolton Crown Court.

Police received a tip claining three men were pushing wheelie bins full of electrical goods in Bolton.

The trio burgled a house in broad daylight and pinched items such as laptops, digital cameras, a TV, mobile phones, watches, jewellery, underwear and even bottles of alcohol.

Officers rounded up the would-be thieves and returned the stolen goods to the homeowner.

Det Con Stuart Round said: “Thanks to the community-minded actions of this Good Samaritan, the woman was reunited with her property just hours after her home had been burgled by Walker and his associates.

"Walker has long been a target for police and I hope it will reassure many people living and working in this community knowing he has finally been brought to book for his crimes.

“These offenders pretty much cleaned out this woman’s home. They stole thousands of pounds worth of goods and no doubt thought they could escape with the loot by concealing it in a wheelie bin.

"However, thanks to the anonymous tip we received from a member of the public our officers responded immediately and caught this gang literally red-handed.

“Tackling burglary is a priority for police in Bolton as we know all too well how distressing it can be for victims to have their homes invaded by thieves.”